Færder National Park
National Park Norwegian coastal national park protecting islands and seabirds
Norway’s Færder National Park protects skerries and open sea east of Tønsberg. Boaters visit for the Færder Lighthouse, seabird colonies, coastal hikes and archipelago fishing.
Færder National Park is a coastal and marine national park in Vestfold, Norway, protecting an outer-Oslofjord archipelago of islands, skerries and surrounding sea areas. The park conserves seabird colonies, open water and island habitats and historic coastal navigation features.
Key attractions include the Færder Lighthouse and easily visible skerries and small islands that are popular with boaters, kayakers and wildlife observers. The park area is predominantly marine with numerous small landmasses and limited built infrastructure.
The park was designated by the Norwegian authorities in 2013 to safeguard the region’s natural and cultural coastal values. It lies offshore from the Vestfold coast in the outer Oslofjord, accessible primarily by boat from towns along the Vestfold shoreline.
- Establishment date: Established by the Norwegian government in 2013 to protect coastal landscape, seabird colonies and marine habitat in the outer Oslofjord.
What to See #
- Færder Lighthouse: The historic Færder Lighthouse and surrounding skerries that act as navigation markers and visitor destinations within the protected area.
- Archipelago and marine areas: Large marine and island zones made up of numerous small islands and skerries, providing habitat for seabirds and open-water recreational routes.
How to Get to Færder National Park #
Access from Tjøme or Horten by boat; private charters run from Oslo and local ports during summer. There are no standard public transport links to most islets - plan via local ferry operators.
Tips for Visiting Færder National Park #
- Take the local ferry or private boat from Tjøme/Horten for the easiest access to principal islets and lighthouses.
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid day-boat crowds; the islands are popular for short summer excursions.
- Bring sea- or windproof layers - the exposed islets can be surprisingly chilly and windy even on warm days.
Best Time to Visit Færder National Park #
Summer months are best for access and boat services; shoulder seasons are quieter.
Weather & Climate near Færder National Park #
Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (709 mm/year).
January
January is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 92 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.